So we joined the ranks of people who own a 2003 Honda Accord with a broken transmission. As of 3/4/2009, Carcomplaints.com listed close to 200 similar cases, and it is safe to assume that there were many more who have not found that website, but paid the $3500 that it costs to have the transmission replaced. The damage to Honda’s reliability reputation must be devastating already, but no recall has been issued.

Initially, we did not feel quite ready to spend this kind of money, either. I thought that maybe a new transmission was not really needed. Given today’s market conditions, $3500 pays the lease for 3 to 4 years for a comparable car, and the Accord has already been costing thousands in repairs over the past 2 years.

I was especially frustrated because I suspected there was something wrong with this transmission from day one. The moment of hesitation that we always noticed before the transmission shifted from first to second gear was probably related to the failure (the transmission recall in 2004 was certainly related to the failure, but was designed to minize cost and liability, not to permanently resolve the issue). I had brought the car in after only a few months of driving in 2003 because of the odd characteristics of the transmission, but I was ridiculed and sent home again.

Here is a history of related events:

1/3/2003

Purchased the car at a local Honda dealer

7/28/2003

Took the car to another local Honda dealer where a service technician drove it and determined that there was nothing wrong with the transmission (at 11,000 miles)

The car seemed to drive fine when the transmission was cold, but when it warmed up after a few minutes of highway driving, the transmission would down-shift violently into first gear, regardless of the current speed. My wife reported the smell of ‘burnt rubber’ in the car after such a forced down-shift. This seemed to be quite dangerous. Once this happened, the transmission would fail to shift into anything but first gear.

Honda apparently lost a class action for the 2000/2001 Accord and other models in 2006. I was unable to find any current class action initiative that includes the 2003 model year. If you are an attorney who is willing to work with me on a class action against Honda USA, please contact me at . If you have similar transmission problems with your 2003 Accord, please contact me as well, or post your complaint on Carcomplaints.com as well so that there is a record of it.

3/22/2009 Update: We had to make a decision and decided to replace the transmission. Our side of the bill: $2200. Honda paid $900.

4/1/2010 Update: The NHTSA website today lists 328 complaints for the 2003 Accord and 188 for the 2003 Odyssey that describe transmission problems. A search does not show a current or past defect investigation for this problem. It is not documented what criteria and process the NHTSA uses to prioritize their work, but safety does not seem to be a factor. Instead, it seems that the NHTSA works on those problems first that pose the smallest financial risks to auto manufacturers. For instance, the February 2010 report lists a defect investigation for the 2003 Accord about a problem with the ignition switch (park/shift interlock). There are 11(!) complaints on file for this type of issue, and yet, the NHTSA chose to investigate it. Replacing an ignition switch is inexpensive, compared to the cost of replacing an automatic transmission.

People will die from a failing Accord transmission, or already have. Honda should be prepared for the same disaster that Toyota is going through right now. Apparently, neither authorities nor car manufactures can learn from past mistakes, and since nobody will be held accountable, why should they?

11/16/2010 Update: The NHTSA has issued a recall for the 2003 Accord because of the ignition switch problem that I mentioned above. Kind of funny, actually …

5/23/2011 Update: The number of comments added to this blog post every month keeps rising – a sign that the rate of transmission failures is rising?

2/14/2013 Update: It is now clearly visible from the updated chart below that the number of incicents peaked late in 2011 with almost 30 posts per month and has now decreased to mere noise. If you are having this problem as late as 2013, you will be just a blip on Honda’s radar screen.

464 thoughts on “Honda Accord 2003 EX-V6 Transmission Failure”

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I also have some problem with my 2003 V6 transmission. I’m the original owner and went through the recall. It was good until about 4 years ago. A few months after I flushed the transmission at the Honda dealer, I suddenly lost gear and almost stalled on a local street right after getting off the highway. The car behind me almost hit me. Problem is that after recover, I cannot reproduce it. I took it back to the dealer. Of course, they claim there is no problem. In the next few years, I found out a strange behavior of the transmission. It only lose gear between 2nd and 3rd right after I turn right. Fortunately, it never lose gear on the highway, which is my biggest fear. Still, I have the problem that I cannot reproduce it. I used to own Honda and has high respect to it. But after having this, It is off my list of consideration.

My 03 accord’s transmission starting slipping about two years ago when the car had just like 76k miles one it. I got the transmission overhauled at a local AAMMCO. The dealer did not cover the cost! Honda claims that its not their problem and did NOT help pay the cost of the repair. I also had to replace the control unit under the car and the selnoid recently went bad. The now has about 98k miles on it and is starting to slowly turn into a headache.

I am the original owner of a 2003 Honda Accord EX v6. I noticed transmission issues around 90K miles in 2008. I have read the horror stories online and am extremely disappointed in Honda owning up to this “design deficiency”. I have owned 3 Hondas and pretty sure this is my last. The car is over at the dealership this weekend seeing what they can do about the 2004 recall on 2nd gear. The most serious problem for me occurred last Thursday while driving home from work, the car slipped out of gear for about 10 seconds – almost like I pushed the clutch in but obviously it is an automatic. I am crossing my fingers that Honda will do right by me – otherwise they will have turned a loyal customer into the worst kind of advertisement a company could hope for.

I have a 2003 V6 EX-L automatic. It started slipping gears back in 2007, dad who was the original owner that time, didn’t know about the honda recall and he just simply went and got the transmission replaced and paid about 3k, altogether. Now i got the car from him a six months ago, and now my car started to slipping gears again. When its cold, it seems to change gears almost fine for few minutes and after that, it refuses to go in to any gear until I cool it off first. Its got me now super frustrated. I used to be the one always keeping hondas or toyotas, but now I do not want to go by honda products. Is there anything I should do that can resolve my problem or look for another tranny replacement?….please help, will be very much appreciated.

Just purchased this 2003 V-6 Accord from a dealership. The CarFax was perfect on it and only one owner. I thought I had found a real gem. Today I experienced the same problem with the transmission that others are describing on this blog. I will have it towed to the dealer tomorrow and give them a print out of everything I’ve found about the 2004 recall and other issues. Hopefully I didn’t pay $8500 for a piece of machinery that is going to let me down continually.

2nd owner of a lease return 2003 Honda Accord, V6 auto. Transmission did just what everyone else has experienced yesterday and nearly got me rear-ended. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting Honda to cover some of these costs? Does this always require a transmission replacement? I’ve loved this car, but judging from the amount of commentary online about this issue and Hondas lack of response, it may be my last from this company.

First owner of a 2003 EX=V6, 165k miles driven. Car will start from cold without issue and travel up gears sequentially without issue…getting up to highway speeds is okay, when exiting an offramp and the car decelerates on it’s own it’s as if the transmission has alzheimers and forgets to downshift properly and will haphazardly and violently shift down to a lower gear…after this the transmission is entirely full retard and will either lock into one gear for extended periods of time regardless of the rpm’s or will switch gears spontaneously. Shifting into reverse is also no longer possible and the car stays in neutral.

I have a 2003 Accord EX V6 with 165k miles. I was driving one day and it suddenly shifted incorrectly and would only rev. After a couple seconds it upshifted and worked fine. I then got to a red light and the whole car started shaking. I tried to keep it moving, but I had to stop for cars and when the light turned green, it wouldn’t move. I would put it in drive and it would just rev. After turning it off and on about 3 times I was able to make it to a nearby parking lot. I waited about 15 minutes and left to try and make it home. While on the way it violently downshifted and spilled some water all over the front seats. Had someone been behind me they would have had almost on time to react and stop. Especially since I was driving slow and most of the time a larger vehicle/truck will be behind you while driving that slow. Honda needs to own up to this and investigate it.

I purchased a Honda Accord V6 about a year ago and the transmission is shot after 78k miles. I am still making payments on this car and I can’t drive it. I contacted the dealership and I keep getting the run around. I do not have 4k to pay for repairs and even so what sense does it make to pay that amount in repairs when the car is worth about 8k. I don’t have any way of getting to work and will most likely lose my job. I always thought Hondas were reliable. I will never purchase a Honda again.

have 2003 Accord V6 EX I’m on my second transmission the car is in the shop now. I take the real good care of this thing so they cant say it was because I didn’t do something. My friend told me the day I bought it about tranny issues. He is a mechanic at a dealership.
Well it just stopped on my wife in traffic. She got it fixed I was ready to let it get repoed. We were still make payment but she wanted it fixed. Got a new tranny and had all types of crap go wrong tranny related. Worked great for about 2800 miles driving on freeway one day and dash board light started going crazy pulled over checked fluid was fine. Went to pull off and it wouldn’t shift into second. Went to a transmission shop needs a new tranny. They are fixing it for free When I get it back I’m going to park it at the dealer with signs on it saying don’t buy a Honda I’m on my third transmission.

We just bought a used 2003 Honda Accord with 178,000 miles in late July 2014 and you will be driving it and all of a sudden you are not going forward anymore. It just stops. Still have reverse. Dealership checked the recall said it had already been done. Now we have to get a new transmission. After only having it for a little over a month. These cars should not be allowed to be sold used!!!! Or the Honda should honor this fix.

Bought this car used 2 weeks ago from a dealership. 2 days, only 240 miles later (half the miles driving home from the dealership) my transmission went out. Because I bought the car As Is and it had a clean title, the dealership would not help me. Therefore, I am stuck with a new broken down car. 240 miles is not worth over $6,000. I have tried everything and can’t find help. I don’t want to be stuck with this car.

I also have a 2003 Honda Accord with only 71000 miles. I too have problems with my transmission shifting from 2nd gear to 3rd. I have contacted Honda corp, two times about the issue and am in the process of taking my car to the local dealership to comfirm it is a recall issue. Honda should have replaced all transmissions when the recall was issued,,,,,,,,,,,,,

My 2003 V6 didn’t even show any sign of fault. Was driving fine until it kicked. I knew it was a transmission problem. I took it to my mechanic and he drove it for 15 minutes without any problem until we made a turn and it kicked again. Now it’s just worse. Doesn’t even go into reverse.

My daughter’s 2003 accord v6 had same issue as all others. Luckily nobody was behind her. Someone who is not so lucky will die from this honda defect. I do believe a new class action suit is in order. Honda is off my list of responsible car manufacturers.

I am in the same boat as all of you. I purchased this car this year on black friday from a used car dealership with only 100k We test drove the car and it was fine. While leaving the dealership I felt a slip between 2nd and 3rd gear but when I let off the gas and applied it again it switched gear so I thought maybe i was not use to the car yet and just accelerated to quickly. However the next day on my way home the car slipped again and I went from 55 mph to about 30 mph and nearly caused a high speed crash. When I got home I had my husband drive it and it now will not go out of 1st gear or over 25 mph. I called honda of America and complained. They o rigionally told me that the repair was already performed in 2004 and during to this they would not help me. I then hung up and called back.I got an amazing rep by the name of John and he was able to get approval for a second repair on the recall if it turns out that it was due to the same issue as the recall. The service manager at my local Honda dealership is awesome and paid for the tow to the dealership. There is also two other open recalls that need to be perform either way. My car is at the dealership now and I will hopefully know tomorrow rather or not they will cover it. I will update her as soon as I know. If they tell me no my plan is to remind them that the repair in 2004 was not a replacement it was simply just a repair but is still the original transmission. There was also a class action lawsuit performed and won in 2006 granting an additional 93 month warranty and 109k miles whichever is first. I am out of the 93 months but not the 109k. I would love to be part of a class action if they dont resolve this for me tommorow. I will update tommorow

I own a 2003 Honda Accord LX with the same problems as posted above, erratic shifting, bucking, sticking in gear, reverse not responding and sometimes no gear. This is ridiculous that a car manufacturer can get away with knowing there is a problem with the transmission and ignoring it. This problem is serious enough to potentially kill someone or others as a result of total component failure.

Having Transmission problems as well. It started with it not shifting to third gear. The problem used to occur sometimes and then went back to normal. Now my car won’t go after 3rd gear, won’t go on reverse either.

I own a 2003 Honda Accord V6 EX automatic – 2nd owner, purchased privately in 2007 at 12,000 miles from dealership’s head mechanic (wife’s car). Has always shifted rough into reverse. In hindsight, my guess is he knew about issues other were having and the rough reverse was a warning to dump it before the real issues began. In 2009 at approx 48,000 car went out of gear (into neutral) while driving. Immediately took to dealership, was told the transmission was fine and until issue could be duplicated, keep driving. Issue for me – car was out of any warranty based on age despite extremely low mileage. Progressively issues increased in frequency – including leaving gear (drive/D) into neutral, refusing to auto shift up/out of 1st or 2nd gear. Sometimes have to drive 15 minutes to work at 25 mph in low gear. I found shifting manually down to 1st or 2nd and then manually shifting up so long as the transmission cooperates was sometimes effective. Took it to the dealership again to ensure all issues were documented. Transmission has been fully maintained including both drain/replace fluid and flushing entire system per manuf. specs. Was shocked to find how many other owners have experienced same issues – mostly due to Honda’s reputation and this being my 3rd Accord (and last). After the shock/acceptance that my car was not an isolated lemon and that tens of thousands of others have the same problem, I made the decision to keep driving it until the transmission seizes or fails completely – mostly because the dealership continues to state this is a “highly unusual and unverifiable complaint” and that they have no knowledge of issues with their transmissions. Now 2014, car has 97,000 miles – still behaves the same, no worse or better. Ridiculous that any car properly maintained would have transmission issues under 150,000 miles. I grew up in an automotive family, all vehicles I own are impeccably maintained on a schedule. The only way I’ve been able to tolerate this is that, so far, once in drive it stays there – it does not shift down on its own. Regardless, ridiculous and unacceptable.

i have an 03 accord v6 3.0 it has 200,000 miles on it and i have had no problems out of my tranny other than slight mis hap on shift from 1-2nd gr but thats because of tranny mounts need replacing thats it i dont know if i got a lucky car but thus far i have had no problems out of it i bought it at 165k on it and its been a great ride ever since just usual maint. like oil changes and tune up. so hopefully the car will keep on holding up cuz i make the last payment oct. of 2015

I have a 2003 honda accord v6. I am at 140, 000 miles today my transmission would not go into reverse finally it did. I put it into drive and it started going but it would not shift to any gear. I noticed this problem a year ago. Had it checked out but there was no problem I was told. It would slip in 2nd and third every now and then. Anyone know why or whay I can do. Any class action yet or recalls?

My 2003 accord lx v6 automatic has always had slight hesitation between second and third gear and also shifts into reverse rough, it had the recall done in 2004 as well, I had gotten used to these problems and had faith that Honda would hold up its long reputation of being a reliable brand. But my thoughts changed completely just today. My pregnant wife and my son were driving down a back road going about 55mph and the car suddenly downshifted violently and just as everyone else said it wouldn’t shift into second gear or go any faster then 25mph. The car has only had one owner before me and it was my father-in-law and I know he takes exceptionally good care of his vehicles, all of the maintenance has either been done myself or by the dealer themselves. We cannot afford such expensive repairs and we need both our cars on the road… I wish there were some kind of resolve on this blog, but its good to know that I’m not the only one with the problem.. But we all need some answers!

I think mines is going out now, I was driving today in the highway and it was jumping on me down shifting and I was forced to accelerate more than I had to, so I can get the car moving. I’m the second owner since I don’t know if the first owner did that recall should I go to Honda and check with them.

I too have a 2003 Honda Accord V6 and had to have the transmission rebuilt at 153k miles. My symptoms were not as severe as some listed above, but none the less it was an expensive repair. Now at 200k the green “D” light is blinking and I may have to have additional repairs to the transmission. This is not my first Honda and I have always considered them to be good cars. I hope Honda does the right thing or this may be my last..

I have the same problem.After 145,000, the transmission of my accord 2003 transmission has been shut down.I am looking for replacement,but a use transmission cost more than $1,200.I hope Honda can solve this problem because Honda make billion $ a year.

I’m the second owner of this 2003 V6 Accord. I have had no issues until 2 days ago when I was driving in morning rush hour traffic on a back road, traveling around 15mph when the car felt like it went into neutral and the RPM’s raced.

I managed to get the car pulled over to the side of the road. Turned it off. I turned back on and the transmission was fine. It has been fine ever since.

I went to Honda and bought some transmission fluid. The Honda parts guy suggested that I change the fluid and drive it for a day and see if the tranny acts up again….if not, then go ahead and continue the flushing protocol.

I have a 03 Honda an 2 years ago put a transmission in it.It change 1st.to 2nd then u have to let off gas to change again.so I purchase another trans for $1500.now the one I paid for is messing up.I take off fine change all gears running 55mph an all of a sudden rpm jumps up like it’s in neutral.I stop cut car off an start back driving fine for 3 to 4 miles down the road then back to the same thing.it I stop then try to take off it won’t move.but when I turn car off it’s like something restarts.

update: Flushed and refilled ATF per Honda. At first it seemed to fix the issue, but now the car is acting up again.

Suddenly the car can not find ANY gear ( no matter if I put in 1, 2, D3, D or R) and the engine races into the red.

I pull over shut the engine off for a minute….restart…. and then it finds the gear….I will drive a couple of miles and then the car jumps out of gear again!! I called my local dealer. I don’t think it is worth getting the transmission replaced as I just went to Edmunds….they say car is only worth 3k in a private sale.

Just came across this blog. My son was driving from Dallas to OKC when 2 hours into a 3 hour trip the car lurched violently. He was able to get it off the road, let it sit for a bit then tried to continue but the problem persisted. Was able to get it to a service center where we were told the tranny was out. Estimated repair 3-3.5K Just bought the car about 4 months ago from a friend. Car was very clean and a very nice ride, right up until last week! Bummed So disappointed to hear how poorly Honda has responded to this obvious defect. I’ve always had a high regard for Honda but I may be done with em. I did have a 2000 Odyssey that went through 3 transmissions. Honda paid for the first 2 so I really didn’t care. I got stuck paying for the third, but I drove the car 360K miles with no other issues other than the transmission. Honda you really let me down.

Honda Accord 2003 V6 EX same problem. I was driving and all of sudden all the dash board light went off. Manage to drive home but now car wouldn’t move. I couldn’t reverse either. When I start the engine whole car shakes so badly. First owner has 102k miles.

Same pattern for me,violent down shifting,goes into neutral and no reverse,is there an oil cooler on this car? The oil seems to be brown and don’t smell like oil,HONDA-HONDA- HONDA- WHY letting consumers down like that,it’s irresponsible of a BIG Corporate like you, IT’S BAD-BAD-BAD reputation for your Company HONDA, it’s like a succer that drain you out.

My wife has an 03 accord v6, at 130,000 miles it started shuttering in overdrive. I’m afraid to let her drive this car now because of all the horror stories. Honda REALLY needs to take responsibility for this problem before they get someone killed over this mess. This may be my last Honda!

We are the original owners of the 2003 Accord EX, 125,000 miles. This past summer the car would suddenly “not go” when my daughter came to a stop light/sign. She would turn off the car then be able to go again. Honda could not reproduce the problem, finally said maybe the ignition recall would solve it. Same problem intermittently, never reproducible and Honda could only make guesses. A week ago as she returned to college (a 1 1/2 hour trip) the car suddenly had a down shift, rev, and wouldn’t accelerate. Didn’t happen again all week. She took a 3 hour road trip this weekend with no trouble going but in the last 10 miles of the trip back, going 55mph, the car suddenly down shifted and stopped! Thank God no one was behind to rearend her. The car revved, then drove but continued to down shift the rest of the way to her school. She was terrified, of course. Once there, her reverse won’t work. Tomorrow, Monday, I start calling Honda!!!!

My wife’s 03 Accord V6 Automatic (purchased by her new) experienced the transmission slip and the same problems identified by everyone else. However, the Honda dealer in Denver quoted us $6,200.00 to replace the transmission and sensors. We did not want to but a new $6K transmission and that we would take our car. They wouldn’t give it to us until we paid for the $60 oil change they performed on the car while it was in the shop for diagnosis of the transmission problem. Bottom line…$150 diagnosis, $60 oil change, $300 (round-trip two service to/from dealership, and nothing was done. BTW, they never mention the transmission recall on this model. I got a call in to the service manager…I’m sure he’ll call and straighten the entire mess out for me! Owned this Honda for 13 years, and a 1992 Accord for 10 years before that. I’m pretty sure I’ll be moving from Honda with my next sedan purchase.

I which I would have done closer research on the 2003 Honda Accord EX Coupe V6 I would have never bought the car. The transmission went out at 100,00 miles. What a disappointment for their brand. I will never buy another Honda they have lost my business and my families business. I trust a Honda executive takes time out his so called schedule to ready these concerns. I trust all these complaints will lead to losses of millions of dollars. After calling Honda service center regarding this problem they try to distance themselves and place the problem and place back on the customer. They are not taking any responsibilities for this faulty transmission. Let your dollars speak for you!!!!

@January 28, 2015 at 10:12 am, adrian said:
“i have an 03 accord v6 3.0 it has 200,000 miles on it and i have had no problems out of my tranny other than slight mis hap on shift from 1-2nd gr but thats because of tranny mounts need replacing thats it i dont know if i got a lucky car but thus far i have had no problems out of it i bought it at 165k on it and its been a great ride ever since just usual maint. like oil changes and tune up. so hopefully the car will keep on holding up cuz i make the last payment oct. of 2015.”

I have the same car, bought new in 2003, and have 210,000 miles now. Recently I had the similar problem, transmission slipped when accelerating hard between 20 – 30 miles per hour. After 3X3 fluid change, it got better. But the problem was fixed after I replaced the broken transmission mount with a $20 part from Autozone.

2003 Honda coupe 3.0 tranny down shift by itself about tossing me through the window, only thing I used different I put Lucas in the motor and tranny after losing 4 gears all came bk but 3rd that may be the sillinoid.death machine but seems Honda cares less.;

I recently bought Honda accord v6 2003 Model. I’m the third owner of the Vehicle. Millage is 110,000. Just few days back, im seeing Transmission slippage on my car. One evening I was driving normally on road, car suddenly slowed down and i heard some noise. I pulled the car side and checked whats going on. I observed that there was some Problem with Transmission. I saw that rpm meter slips, when I put more gas. Next day I went to Honda service center, they suggested me to Change transmission fluid, also technician told that this may not work. I was hoping that transmission fluid change solve my problem, which did not solved the problem.

Next day, I observed same issue. Transmission slips. After that this problem continued. Every time, when i had to stop the car at traffic Signal, i had very hard time. Car will not go faster. I always have to be in right side of road, i am always worried that anytime it may stop. Now im worried on the service of this Problem. I cannot spent 3-4k dollars for replacing transmission. Before I had very good impression on Honda car, I heard lots of good things about Honda. But with my bad experience on transmission, all my impression gone.

I own a 2003 accord v6 with 140,000mi had it for 1yr .petty much i have the same problem as every body else here , i was on the highway driving back home from work when my car start it down shifting hard, from 75mph
to 40 in a heart beat good thing the car behind me was paying atettion he slow down right away and pull to a side with me ,i check the car to see what was going on and right away notice that it wouldnt go into shift ,i mean reverse works but it wont move forward
i think this cars are dangerous on the road ,honda should do something about this tranmissions i dont think ill ever by another honda again

i have a 2003 honda accord at 138,00 and it does the same thing hy cant honda do something about . thier has to a way everybody doesnt have the money to pay outoff pocket . i f we have to pay out off our pocked for the problem then honda should return the money for their mistake .

I am a second owner of a 2003 Honda Accord with less than 90,000 miles on it. I drove it on a recent trip on the highway for approximately 140 miles and when I stopped to eat, and got back in the car, it started acting funny and not engaging. The engine would rev, but the transmission would not engage. I had to rent a U-Haul and car dolly to get my car back home. Weird thing is, if you turned the car off, then restarted it, it would go for a few feet and then not engage again.

Same thing happened to my 2003 accord coupe today. Started slipping, made a noise when I put it in reverse, made it home in first gear only. When I parked, it wouldn’t go in reverse at all. Calling Honda tomorrow

To all the people who have cars over 100.k comeon people the cars are 03 and 04 standard warranty is 3 years 50k .I am sorry a car over 100.k shouldn’t be under warranty .although .if cars was recalled earlier under 100k and fixed and the same problem happen again it should be fixed by honda.at no cost .but some of you people are saying you just bought the cars and they have over 100k on them .sorry guys .should of done your reseach.and had a shop check it out for you. Like the guy said he had just bought through car from a used car lot.why did you not take it back to them? I am not siding with honda all cars now days are cheap throw together peace of shit.and I no because I am a automotive tech for more than 28 years.